Modular office partition

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a partition system having improved vibration dampening characteristics. The partition system includes a frame having elongated support posts and a plurality of tiles being mounted to the posts via a plurality of mounting elements. Each tile has opposite first and second sides, opposite top and bottom edges, and opposite side edges. The mounting elements each have a body portion and a finger portion. The body portion is adapted and configured to releasbly mount to the post and the finger portion is configured to extend away from the post when the body portion is mounted to the post. The tiles have a pair of hook members mounted to the first side of the tile. The hook members are adapted and configured to hook onto the finger portion of the mounting elements. The tiles also have a pair of resilient clip members which are adapted and configured to releasably attach to the finger portion of the mounting elements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to modular office partitions and, more particularly, to fastening systems for fastening decorative tile panels to the frames forming the partitions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Modular office partitions have become increasingly popular due to their ease of installation and flexibility of design. Modular office partitions permit the user to configure existing office space in a variety of different orientations depending on the needs of the user and the budget available. An added advantage of modular office partitions is their ability to be reconfigured when the need arises.

[0003] The key design feature which gives modular office partitions their flexibility is their use of removable tile panels in combination with interlocking frame elements. An office configuration can be created by simply interlocking individual frame elements as desired and then covering the framework by attaching a plurality of tiles to each side of the framework. The means by which the tiles are attached to the frames is critically important. The attachment mechanism must secure the tiles to the frames with sufficient rigidity to give the partition the semblance of a solid wall. The attachment mechanism must also permit the tiles to be attached and detached with ease, and preferably without specialized tools. Finally, the attachment means must be inexpensive to manufacture and inexpensive to incorporate into the partition framing system.

[0004] Several tile attachment mechanisms have been introduced into the market. Some systems directly mount the wall tiles to the frame by means of a screw bolt or the like. While this system permits the tiles to be securely and rigid attached to the wall frames, the system requires additional time to assemble. U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,835 to Kelly et al. discloses a modular wall construction wherein the tiles are attached directly to the frames by means of hooks and clips. While the system disclosed in Kelly is easy to assemble, directly attaching a wall tile to a frame has the undesired effect of enhancing the transmission of vibrations between the frame and the wall panel, which in turn makes the completed partition wall more likely to transmit noise. A modular wall partition system which is both easy to assemble and which minimizes the propagation of vibrations between the tiles and the frame would result in a partition which is both easy to install and which more realistically mimics the sound dampening characteristics of a rigid permanent wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wall partition system having improved vibration dampening characteristics comprising a frame having elongated support posts, a plurality of tiles being mounted to the posts, each tile having opposite first and second sides, opposite top and bottom edges, and opposite side edges. The tiles are mounted to a plurality of mounting elements which are releasably mounted to the posts. The mounting elements each have a body portion adapted and configured to mount to the post and a finger configured to extend away from the post when the body portion is mounted to the post. The tiles have a pair of hook members mounted to the first side of the tile, the hook members configured to hook onto the fingers of the mounting elements. The tiles also have a pair of resilient clips which are adapted and configured to releasably attach to the fingers of the mounting elements.

[0006] With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1. is a perspective view of a wall partition made in accordance with the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2. is a perspective view of a partially constructed modular partition system made in accordance with the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 3. is a perspective view of a top edge portion of a wall tile attached to a partition wall frame using the mounting elements of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 4. is a perspective view of a bottom edge portion of a wall tile attached to a wall frame using the mounting elements of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 5. is a perspective view of a portion of a wall frame containing a mounting element made in accordance with the invention.

[0012]FIG. 6. is a perspective view of a mounting element made in accordance with the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 7. is a perspective view of a wall frame containing a plurality of mounting elements made in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a partition system made in accordance with the present invention is shown generally as item 10 and consists of a plurality of wall tiles 12, mounted to a plurality of modular frame elements 14. Frame element 14 consists of upper frame member 16, post members 18 and 19, and lower frame member 20, which are all joined together by means known generally in the art, such as bolts or screws (not shown). Each tile 12 has an outer decorative surface 32 and an attachment surface 30. As shall be discussed below in greater detail, surface 30 is adapted to removably attach to mounting elements 42 which are in turn securely mounted to frame element 14.

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each wall tile 12 has top edge 22, bottom edge 24, side edges 26 and 28, and surfaces 30 and 32. Spring attachment clips 34 and 36 are mounted to surface 30 adjacent top edge 22 towards side edges 26 and 28, respectively. Attachment clips 34 and 36 each have a resilient projecting finger 37. Hooked attachment elements 38 and 40 mounted to surface 30 adjacent bottom edge 24 towards side edges 26 and 28 respectively. Hooked attachment elements 38 and 40 each have a projecting hook member 41.

[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, posts 18 and 19 are essentially identical elongated members having U shaped profiles, a central cavity 45, side walls 51 and rear wall 47. Rear wall 47 has a plurality of apertures 50 and 52. Apertures 52 are dimensioned to permit a bolt (not shown) to pass through. Posts 18 and 19 are mounted within frame 14 such that their central cavities 45 are oriented towards each other. A plurality of wall frame units 14 may be linked together by means of connecting bolts (not shown) passed through apertures 52 of adjoining wall frame units. A plurality of mounting elements 42 are mounted to each post within frame 14.

[0018] Each mounting element 42 is a generally U shaped member having body portion 46, fingers 44 and hook portion 48. Body portion 46 is dimensioned to snugly fit within cavity 45. Fingers 44 are dimensioned to extend past side wall 51 when mounting element 42 is inserted into the post. Hook portion 48 is dimensioned and configured to fit snugly within aperture 50 of posts 18 and 19 and prevent mounting element 42 from dislodging when a downward force is applied to fingers 44. Reinforcing ribs 49 add strength to the mounting element.

[0019] Referring back to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, mounting elements 42 are attached to posts 18 and 19 such that fingers 44 project towards the center of frame element 14 and line up with attachment elements 34, 36, 38 and 40 of tiles 12. As best seen in FIG. 4, fingers 44 of mounting elements 42 are dimensioned and configured to be releasably engaged by attachment elements 40 in a hook like fashion. Finger 44 projects sufficiently past post 19 to permit finger 41 of attachment element 40 to engage finger 44 in a hook like manner. By hooking attachment element 40 onto finger 44 of mounting element 42, bottom edge 24 of tile 12 can be secured to post 19. As best seen in FIG. 3, resilient finger 37 of attachment clip 36 is dimensioned and configured to resiliently deform as it is pushed past finger 44 of mounting element 42. When resilient finger 37 is pushed past finger 44, the resilient finger rebounds to position finger 44 between finger 37 and tile 12 thereby securing upper edge 32 of tile 12 to post 19.

[0020] The combination of hook like attachment elements 38 and 40 with spring biased attachment clips 34 and 36 permit easy attachment of tiles 12 to frame 14. To secure tiles 12 to the frame element, lower edge 24 is first hooked to the frame by hooking attachment elements 38 and 40 onto mounting elements 42. Upper edge 22 of tile 12 is then pivoted towards frame 14 such that attachment clips 34 and 36 engage fingers 44 of mounting elements 42 and lock into place. Since mounting elements 42 are relesably attachable to frame element 14, different sized tiles 12 may be attached simply by increasing or decreasing the distance separating the mounting elements on the same post.

[0021] In this mounting arrangement, tile 12 is not directly mounted to frame element 14; therefore, any vibrations propagating through the frame element are not directly transmitted to tile 12. Portions of surface 30 do come in contact with frame element 14 when tiles 12 are mounted thereto; however, the only secure connection between tiles 12 and frame element 14 is via mounting elements 42. Consequently, a majority of vibrations propagating between tile 12 and frame element 14 must necessarily pass through mounting elements 42, which in turn acts a vibration dampener. Preferably, mounting elements 42 are made of a vibration dampening material such as plastic, which further decreases the transmission of vibrations between tile 12 and frame 14.

[0022] The present mounting arrangement also has the advantage of increasing the modularity of the entire structure. A variety of different sized tiles may be attached to frame 14 simply by providing a sufficient number of apertures 50 along posts 18 and 19. Also, apertures 50 may be used for other purposes other than securing mounting elements 42. For example, telephone or computer cables may be passed between adjoining frame elements 14 through apertures 50.

[0023] A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

Therefore, what is claimed is:
 1. A wall partition system comprising: (a) a frame having support posts, (b) a plurality of tiles each having opposite first and second sides, opposite top and bottom edges, and opposite side edges, (c) a plurality of mounting elements releasably mounted to the posts, (d) a plurality of attachment elements mounted to the first side of the tiles, said attachment elements and said mounting elements being adapted and configured to releasably attach to each other.
 2. A wall partition system as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting elements each comprise a member having a body portion and a finger portion, the body portion being adapted and configured to releasably attach to the frame post, the finger portion being configured to extend away from the post when the body portion is attached to the post, the attachment elements being adapted and configured to releasably attach to the finger portion of the mounting elements.
 3. A wall partition system as defined in claim 2 wherein the attachment elements comprise a pair of hook members adapted to hook onto the finger portions of the mounting elements, the pair of hook members mounted to the first surface of the tile adjacent one of the top and bottom edges.
 4. A wall partition system as defined in claim 3 wherein the attachment elements further comprise a pair of resilient members adapted and configured to engage the fingers of the connector elements, said pair of resilient members being mounted to the first side of the tile adjacent the edge opposite the hook members.
 5. A wall partition system as defined in claim 2 wherein the body portion of the mounting elements have a projecting portion and wherein the posts have a plurality of apertures dimensioned to receive and retain the projecting portion of the mounting elements.
 6. A wall partition system as defined in claim 5 wherein the attachment elements comprise a pair of hook members adapted to hook onto the finger portions of the mounting elements, the pair of hook members mounted to the first surface of the tile adjacent one of the top and bottom edges.
 7. A wall partition system as defined in claim 6 wherein the attachment elements further comprise a pair of resilient members adapted and configured to engage the fingers of the mounting elements, said pair of resilient members being mounted to the first side of the tile adjacent the edge opposite the hook members.
 8. A wall partition system as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting elements are made of a vibration dampening material.
 9. A wall partition system as defined in claim 7 wherein the hook members are mounted adjacent the bottom edge of the tile and the resilient members are mounted adjacent the top edge of the tile.
 10. A wall partition system comprising a frame having elongated support posts, a plurality of tiles being mounted to the posts, each tile having opposite first and second sides, opposite top and bottom edges, and opposite side edges, a plurality of mounting elements releasably mounted to the posts, said mounting elements each having a body portion adapted and configured to mount to the post, said mounting elements also having a finger configured to extend away from the post when the body portion is mounted to the post, a pair of hook members mounted to the first side of the tile, said hook members configured to hook onto the fingers of the mounting elements, and a pair of resilient members mounted to the fist side of the tile, said resilient members adapted and configured to releasably attach to the fingers of the mounting elements. 